The rough gravel on the forest floor dug into Komura's cheek as her sleep deepened into a coma. Around her, the attacker was picked up and carried by his partner. So when she came to hours later in the dark, Komura was alone.
She groaned, moving her sore body into a sitting position. Her head felt dizzy and she wobbled a bit as she tried to stand up. Finally, the memories of earlier came back to her.
Komura's eyes widened as she swiftly tilted her head to stare at the full moon above her. "Akino!" She shouted, hoping he would hear her. Without knowing where he was in position to where she was brought it was her only hope.
However not a single word of response was uttered, the only sound greeting her ears being that of the forest. Hopelessness swamped Komura's mind in waves, to the point where her knees slowly dropped to the ground.
Why? Why did this happen? Where could he be?! What if he's hurt?! Or worse, dead?
A thousand questions whirled through Komura's head, a thousand more without answers. As if sensing her turmoil, a grey shadow prowled it's way through the underbrush, stopping to glance over at her before slowly approaching.
Komura saw it out of the corner of her eye, knowing it to be a raccoon by it's black and white facial features. Gently, it padded it's way across the clearing to the hysterical girl and tilted it's head, as if confused.
"Go away," she called through her tears. Neither did the animal respond with heeding her action, nor with any other indication of response other than to continue blinking it's big black eyes.
"Ugh, even the forest creatures don't answer me," Komura wailed. He padded closer, she had determined him to be male because she could, and prodded her with his nose.
"What do you want?" Of course he didn't answer her, he just stared up into her wet eyes as she frantically tried to wipe them away. "Why are you even here? All of the other animals flee at the sight of a human."
Again, no answer came other than another prod with his wet black nose. Komura sighed at his actions and slowly reached out to it, as if to pet. Although the raccoon retreated slightly, he eventually allowed her to gently brush his fur.
A smile made it's way to Komura's face at the softness of him as she continued to pet. Deciding to give him a name, she thought for a while, absentmindedly brushing his back, until she determined a good one.
"Garoma," she named, and upon seeing his ears twitch slightly, decided that he liked it. "Well your name is now Garoma and I like you. Do you think nyou could find my brother? His name is Akino and I seem to have lost him..."
From his laying down position, Garoma swiftly stood up. Looking back at her, he turned and made his way through the bushes. Komura too rose and followed diligently behind him, wondering how he had understood that, or even if he had.
Hours later, Komura was starting to get annoyed. Night had fallen long ago and only by the light of the not-quite-full moon was she able to still spy her elusive guide. Another yawn escaped her pale lips as she stumbled into yet another berry bush.
Tearing her loose clothing from the thorns, Komura let out a frustrated groan. "Are you sure this is the way? It's been hours and we haven't found him!"
Garoma let out what sounded like a growl, not even ceasing in his path through the brush. Instinctively, Komura's shoulders made their way to her ears as she continued to follow him. It was better than nothing right? At least wasn't wandering aimlessly alone. Although she was tired...very tired.
Another yawn brought her to a halt in a small area free of trees and bushes. "W-wait!" She called. "I'm not going any further than this tonight! I'm too tired!" Without giving any notice to her words, Garoma continued as if nothing had been spoken.
"Wait!" She cried again. "Aren't you going to wait for me?" Yet still no heed was paid to her cries. Now she was faced with a decision. Follow Garoma or allow her body the rest it definitely needed? While pondering her situation, her guide escaped her eyesight, leaving her lost once more in the forest.
A deep frown graced Komura's features, yet the call of the night, and her legs, to sleep was too great for the young girl. Mourning the loss of her compatriot and even more so her brother, she felt sadness once more.
The bright morning sunlight shown upon Komura's face far too quickly in her opinion. Blearily, she gazed up into the sunrise-touched sky and let out a massive yawn. She rubbed her eyes before deciding that sleep was impossible now and glanced below her at the ground, only to see a familiar grey and black friend licking the bark of her tree.
A squeal of delight escaped her lips as Komura bounded down to the ground below and swept Garoma up into her arms. From his position, the small raccoon let out a disgruntled noise and struggled in her arms before she mercilessly put him down.
"You came back!" She shouted into the awakening woods, not caring about any predator that might hear. Garoma's wet nose twitched as he gently prodded her leg and turned to pad once again through the woods.
Komura followed along happily, her mind alert despite her body's tiredness, to whatever lies before them.